Retired Phoenix Police Department Cmdr. Brian Issitt was selected to fill Goodyear’s chief of police role Aug. 5.

Issitt spent 22 years working in Phoenix overseeing the Desert Horizon Precinct, the Traffic Unit, Vehicular Crimes Unit, Transit Unit and the Advanced Training Bureau. Issitt took on leadership roles with the SWAT team and the Homeland Defense Bureau.

“Brian brings tremendous experience to our city and has worked his way up through the ranks during his career,” said Wynette Reed, Goodyear city manager. “I am so impressed with Brian’s passion for what he does and for his eagerness to help lead Goodyear’s public safety mission.”

Issitt ‘s father was a police officer, and Issitt said his father, his wife and four children taught him the value of living a life of integrity and character.

“When [my father] pinned my badge on me in 2001 after I graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy, he told me two things. First, show respect to everyone. Second, don’t do anything that would tarnish the badge,” Issit said. “I have lived up to that calling and have those same expectations of everyone whom I am fortunate enough to lead,”

Issitt earned two master’s degrees from Arizona State University in the Administration of Justice and the American Military University in National Security Studies and graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. 

“Having the opportunity to lead the men and women of the Goodyear Police Department is a lifelong dream come true,” Issitt said. “I am looking forward to immersing myself into the Goodyear culture and continuing to build on the strong relationships that already exist between the community and the police department, today.”

Visit goodyearaz.gov for information.